Vacation preferences are sort of like Jack Sprat and his wife, with the fat being fishing plans and the lean being other forms of exploration and relaxation. And like the nursery rhyme couple, families who are making summer plans can assemble a “platter” that serves up both kinds of opportunities and have a grand time licking the whole thing clean.

Knowing that various family members will have different ideas about what makes a great vacation, we’ve sought destinations that blend fishing and non-fishing opportunities. So here are our best fishing vacation picks, beginning in the east and traveling west.

PLEASURE ISLAND
A nice thing about vacationing at the beach is that when the summer sun really sizzles, a dip in the ocean is never far away. For fishermen, it’s even better, because an angler (or family of anglers) can stand in the surf and fish at the same time. Pleasure Island, which contains both Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, offers a terrific blend of opportunities to North Carolina anglers who want to combine an ocean vacation with a summer fishing trip. Pier-fishing and surf-fishing are just a couple of the many angling opportunities that are well suited for families visiting Pleasure Island during the summer.

Pier-fishing is one of the best options for a family outing because it does not require a boat equipped for marine use or a lot of specialized tackle or knowledge. Summer brings a big mix of species in close proximity of the beaches, and anglers can catch everything from spadefish to flounder to croaker from piers. The Carolina Beach Pier and Kure Beach Pier both stretch more than 700 feet out into the ocean, creating great opportunities for anglers. Both also offer bait and tackle, and pier operators can provide current fishing reports and good advice about rigs and baits.

For family members who select the surf-fishing option, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area at the southern end of Cure Beach is an ideal destination. The recreation area offers five miles of undeveloped beach that is nicely suited for surf-fishing. Pompano, small sharks and puppy drum are just a few of the many species that are apt to be pulled from the summer surf.

For anglers who do opt to trailer boats to the beach, inshore waters offer good opportunities to catch redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more. And the combination of the lower Cape Fear River, the Intracoastal Waterway and a network of tidal creeks that break up the salt marsh provides plenty of water to explore. An alternative is to charter a boat, and the Carolina Beach Fishing Center docks boats of every size for everything from inshore family-oriented trips to Gulf Stream trolling.

Between fishing trips, families find plenty to do on Pleasure Island, with the fun beginning on the beaches themselves. Carolina Beach State Park offers opportunities for hiking, along with a campground and nature center, and the park is home to Venus flytrap plants. There’s also a one-mile hiking trail at the Fort Fisher Recreation Area that winds through the marsh to an observation platform.

Other places to explore include the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and the boardwalk at Carolina Beach. Some charter boats also provide scenic tours by water. In addition to the campground, both beach communities offer lodging options that range from simple motels to rental homes to bed and breakfasts.

To learn more about attractions, fishing opportunities and places to stay and eat on Pleasure Island, check out www.gocapefearcoast.com.

CHARLOTTE
Many folks might not think of a major city as a destination for a family fishing vacation, but North Carolina’s biggest city provides a wealth of opportunities for family trips, both on and off the water. The bulk of the fishing is on Lake Wylie, immediately west of town.